Music & Culture

'Fresh Air' Favorites: Bruce Springsteen

1:28pm January 03, 2020

by Terry Gross

This week, we're listening back to some favorite Fresh Air interviews from the past decade. In 2016, Springsteen reflected on how he and his music were shaped by home, roots, family and community.

Queue Listen Now

Michaela Anne performing at WXPN's Free At Noon Concert, recorded live for World Cafe.

Music & Culture

Michaela Anne's Voice Shines Like A Beacon, Bringing You Back Home

9:00am January 03, 2020

Desert Dove is a country album, but kind of like her life, it doesn't stay settled in just one place. There are cinematic strings, and nods to indie rock and honky-tonk.

Daniel Norgren performs during a Tiny Desk concert, on Sep. 25, 2019. (Catie Dull/NPR)

Music & Culture

Daniel Norgren: Tiny Desk Concert

5:00am January 03, 2020

by Bob Boilen

The Swedish singer sways and writhes as he and his band create a dream state calming enough to slow the day's hectic pace to a crawl. Take a seat on a comfy couch and have a listen.

Billboard chart analyst Chris Molanphy cites Taylor Swift as an artist who effectively differentiates between albums with the help of her video aesthetics.

Music & Culture

Here Comes YouTube: 'Billboard' To Change How It Calculates Top Albums

4:46pm January 02, 2020

Starting Jan. 3, Billboard is changing the way it calculates the top albums of the week. NPR's Ailsa Chang talks with Slate writer and critic Chris Molanphy about what the rule changes mean.

Ted Leo performs in Oct. 2010 in New York.

Music & Culture

Forget Eileen: Ted Leo On The Unsung Greatness Of Dexys Midnight Runners

12:03pm January 02, 2020

by Phil Harrell

As part of NPR's series One-Hit Wonders / Second-Best Songs, musician Ted Leo says the British band known for "Come On Eileen" has more to offer — and points to one song as a perfect example.

Queue Listen Now

The Building performs inside the World Cafe Performance Studio

Music & Culture

'Peace's Eternal Truth Renews All,' Says The Building's Anthony LaMarca

9:00am January 02, 2020

The War On Drugs guitarist explains the meaning behind PETRA, an acronym of his dog's name that he came up with while battling cancer.

Music & Culture

Encore: 'Smells Like Teen Spirit,' The Anthem For A Generation That Didn't Want One

5:27pm January 01, 2020

by Joel Rose

"Smells Like Teen Spirit" made Nirvana's Kurt Cobain a reluctant spokesman for Generation X, and the song became an anthem for a generation that didn't want one.

Queue Listen Now

Music & Culture

'Fresh Air' Favorites: Carolina Chocolate Drops

5:36am January 01, 2020

by Terry Gross

This week, we're listening back to some favorite Fresh Air interviews from the past decade. The Durham, N.C.-based trio showcased their African American string music — with a modern twist — in '10.

Queue Listen Now

Music & Culture

'Fresh Air' Favorites: Catherine Russell

5:36am January 01, 2020

by Terry Gross

This week, we're listening back to some favorite Fresh Air interviews from the past decade. Russell sang tracks from her solo album, Strictly Romancin', during this 2012 interview and performance.

Queue Listen Now

Music & Culture

'Fresh Air' Favorites: Bandleader Jon Batiste

5:36am January 01, 2020

by Terry Gross

This week, we're listening back to some favorite Fresh Air interviews from the past decade. The bandleader for The Late Show with Stephen Colbert let loose at the piano during this 2018 interview.

Queue Listen Now